German Shipbuilder FSG Wins Australian RoRo Order

Flensburger-Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) says it has contracted with Australian shipping company SeaRoad for the construction of a 181 metres long, LNG-powered RoRo ferry.

Claimed by FSG to be the world’s first RoRo ferry of this size powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG)  fuel, the RoRo ferry will ply between Melbourne and Devonport in Tasmania.

The new ferry is designed to transport containers, including reefer units, trailers, cars and hazardous cargo as well as live animals – for example cattle.

For FSG Managing Director Peter Sierk this is very much more than just another contract. “On the one hand, our shipyard is to deliver a ship to Australia for the first time ever. On the other hand, this new building demonstrates yet again the high-level competence of our yard and our innovative capabilities.”

He adds: "LNG operation is currently the cleanest fuel combustion process in existence. The emission of sulphur oxides (SOx) and dust is almost nil while that of nitrous oxides (NOx) is also reduced by nearly 100% and that of carbon dioxide (CO2) by about 20%.

The liquefied natural gas is taken on board the ship in mobile tanks during regular ship loading and unloading. Once on board, the tanks are secured and become fixed ship fuel tanks without the need for any transshipment thanks to a special locking system also developed by FSG.

The newbuilding will be 181 metres long, 26.6 metres wide and have more than 1960 lane metres available. Her speed will be 20.5 knots.

FSG add that it is planned to start construction at FSG on Flensburg’s Batteriestrasse in September 2015 and to deliver the ship in the third quarter of 2016.